Scene II explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Colonization and Servitude

  Caliban shifts his servitude from Prospero to Stephano, offering to show him the island's resources in exchange for freedom and worship.

• Freedom and Imprisonment

  Caliban's drunken song celebrates 'Freedom, hey-day!' as he seeks liberation from Prospero's control.

• Magic and Illusion

  Caliban mistakes Stephano's wine for 'celestial liquor' and Stephano for a god, highlighting the theme of illusion.

Characters to notice

• Caliban

  Curses Prospero and complains of torment; meets Trinculo and Stephano; swears allegiance to Stephano after tasting wine.

• Trinculo

  Takes shelter under Caliban's gaberdine; reunites with Stephano; mocks Caliban's gullibility.

• Stephano

  Sings drunkenly; shares his wine with Caliban; accepts Caliban's worship and plans to inherit the island.

• Prospero

  Referenced by Caliban as the tyrant who torments him through spirits.

Key passages

• “All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall and make him By inch-meal a disease!”

  May all the diseases bred by the sun from swamps and marshes fall on Prospero and slowly kill him.

  Caliban curses Prospero, wishing him a slow, painful death.

• “Misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows.”

  Being in trouble makes you share company with unlikely people.

  Trinculo decides to hide under Caliban's cloak despite his repulsion.

• “I'll show thee every fertile inch o' th' island; And I will kiss thy foot: I prithee, be my god.”

  I will show you all the productive parts of the island and worship you; please be my god.

  Caliban offers his allegiance to Stephano, promising to reveal the island's resources.

• “Freedom, hey-day! hey-day, freedom! freedom, hey-day, freedom!”

  Freedom, hurray! Hurray, freedom!

  Caliban joyfully sings about his newfound freedom from Prospero.